Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp

Beginning in July 2008, the GLBTA Pride Center, the Office of Student Affairs, and the Office of Institutional Diversity have sponsored two students each year to attend the Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp. 

As stated on the Campus Pride web site, "the five-day camp experience works to develop stronger undergraduate student leaders and safer, more LGBT-friendly colleges and universities.  Participants have the opportunity to learn valuable campus organizing skills, coalition building and strategies for creating change at colleges and universities."

When BSC students attend Campus Pride, both the students and the College win. Students win because they gain in-depth knowledge about GLBT issues and learn how to be effective campus leaders. BSC wins because when our students return they apply their new knowledge and skills to benefit the BSC GLBTA community. In order to keep this program "win-win," we require a year commitment as a volunteer of the Pride Center upon the students' return.


Goals of the Program

To better enhance campus participation in our diverse and global society, promote opportunities for students to interact with diverse groups, and increase student engagement in learning, GLBTA students need opportunities to examine the complex dynamics of privilege and oppression. Equipped with a solid understanding and awareness of these issues, our students will be prepared to advocate for inclusion of disenfranchised groups on our campus and in their communities.

 

Learning Outcomes (as described on http://www.campuspride.org/camp.asp)

  1. Identify and describe components of their own identities that give them power and privilege as citizens and leaders in our society.
  2. Discuss ways in which queer or ally leaders fit into queer contexts and communities working to create positive change.
  3. Identify key resources and best practices available to create and implement a more inclusive and safe campus
  4. Apply leadership skills to create change on their home campuses and equip them to be social justice advocates for life (in places of worship, workplace, larger community).
  5. Identify and work with a network of peer and national leaders.
  6. Present current and emerging issues impacting queer communities in the United States.
  7. Learn about key leadership concepts to become a stronger LGBT & Ally leader.
  8. Develop effective strategies and skill training for grassroots coalition building.
  9. Access resources and innovative tools from national organizations.
  10. Create a personal action plan for one's campus to become more LGBT-friendly.
  11. Connect and work with peer student leaders from across the country.
  12. Learn an inclusive approach for supporting justice for all communities.


Apply for Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp July 2010
If you are interested in having BSC sponsor you (i.e., BSC will pay for your Campus Pride registration which includes meals and accommodations. You will have to pay for your own transportation to Towson, MD) to attend Campus Pride, then fill out the Campus Pride Application and Reference forms.

Please note the minimum eligibility requirements:
- Matriculated in a BSC degree program
- GPA of 2.25 or higher at BSC
- Must have successfully completed at least one semester of BSC coursework
- Good judicial standing

 

GLBTA Pride Center Ambassadors Featured at BSC

The Making of Campus Leaders

Posted on BSC News Log November 12, 2008
Rob Matheson

What is it that changes a young person into a student leader? For two BSC students who have assumed leadership roles on campus, it was the time they spent this summer at camp.

From July 19-24, Eric Sherlock and Shawn Fielder, both political science majors, joined students from across the nation at the second-annual Campus Pride Leadership Summer Camp, held at Towson University in Maryland. The entire trip was funded by BSC.

During the five-day camp, the two BSC students, along with approximately 60 of their peers from 50 higher education institutions, met with national gay activist leaders and sat in on panel discussions before visiting Washington D.C. These activities and others were meant to help students develop leadership skills, build coalitions and network with students and organization representatives.

Upon returning from the conference, Mr. Sherlock and Mr. Fielder, who had not previously been directly involved with BSC's Pride Center, took on roles as its ambassadors, meaning they provide leadership on a variety of issues, as well as advocate for equity on campus.

"We're completely different people now after coming back from the conference," said Mr. Fielder, a Bridgewater resident.

The students said their recent increased involvement on campus was due in large part to the personal growth they experienced at the conference. During the various group activities, the students said they encountered conflicting viewpoints, which initially upset them, but ultimately taught them about the issues and about themselves.

"Each day, not one person left with a dry eye," said Mr. Sherlock, a Whitman native, "but having your ideas challenged and defending what you believe makes you a stronger person, and makes your friendships stronger."

Coordinator of the BSC Pride Center, Lisa Forest, said she was appreciative toward BSC for funding the trip that got the students more involved on campus and interested in GLBTA issues.

In an article in The Washington Blade, Shane Windemeyer, executive director for Campus Pride, said the event aims to empower and enlighten young leaders.

"The lessons learned and lifelong friendships developed at camp are the most valuable way to invest in the future of our movement," he said in the article.

Read The Washington Blade article here. The story is accompanied by a photo of some of the attendees. (Robert Matheson, Office of Institutional Communications)
 

Last Modified: June 23, 2009